Senate panel to consider ban on prescription drug 'gag clauses'

The Senate health committee plans to vote on legislation in June banning "gag clauses" that can hide potential savings on prescriptions from consumers at the pharmacy counter. Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) said Tuesday he hopes the panel will vote on the bill, authored by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), on June 20.

The Senate health committee plans to vote on legislation in June banning "gag clauses" that can hide potential savings on prescriptions from consumers at the pharmacy counter. Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) said Tuesday he hopes the panel will vote on the bill, authored by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), on June 20. The legislation would ban clauses in contracts between pharmacies, insurers, and PBMs that keep pharmacies from proactively telling customers they could save money on a prescription if they paid out of pocket instead of through insurance. It would apply to plans offered through the individual market and by private employers.